Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Nannywill release in the Criterion Collection on October 31 (spooky), 2023.
Spooky season is upon us and lucky for those film-buffs with a dark-side, the Criterion Collection has no shortage of hair-raising horrors within their vast library. This October, Amazon Studios’ deeply emotional psychological-horrorNannyjoins those ranks, and deservedly so.
Nanny Plot
Also Read:Criterion Collection: La Bamba Review
Aisha (Anna Diop) — an undocumented immigrant from Senegalese — takes a job as a Nanny, watching a wealthy couple’s (Michelle Monaghan and Morgan Spector) young daughter (Rose Decker). Aisha has left her son behind in Africa and struggles to save every penny so that she can afford to bring him to the United States. However, the job is less straightforward than she had originally anticipated and she soon finds herself struggling to maintain her sanity as an evil presence lurks in the darkness.
The Critique
Nannyutilizes the inherent awkwardness and discomfort that accompanies the imbalance of power associated with domestic work to craft dread and tension. These tensions are escalated through the use of everyday concerns — such as finances — mounting to create a feeling of helplessness and desperation. Water — representing the hopelessness and desperation that accompany drowning — is a recurring theme here, bringing with it a level of anxiety that feels inescapable. Rarely does a film achieve this level of unsettling discomfort, successfully crafting its horror entirely through its writing, and without a reliance on jump-scares.
The clashing socio-economic status of Aisha and her employers — Amy and Adam — is in the forefront. The seemingly wealthy family — who live in excess — continuously fail to pay Aisha for her hours of work. They’re even dismissive of it when she repeatedly brings it to their attention. Adam makes a living as a photographer and much of his work can be seen hanging on the walls of their spacious apartment. Through this art we get a deeper idea of who he is, with nearly all of the images depicting Africans facing some enormous hardship or tragedy. Through exploiting the suffering of others, he has secured a lavish life for himself.
Writer-director Nikyatu Jusu brings a unique approach to the use of color and camera angles in her debut film, seemingly taking inspiration from the Giallo-slashers of 1970’s Italian cinema. Vibrant shades of yellow, green and blue all share the screen within single frames. It’s a beautiful approach to a heart-wrenching story, as eye-catching as it is uncomfortable.
The Special Features
The special features for this one are admittedly lite. Included on the disc are the film’s original trailer, a short-film titledSuicide BySunlight(directed by Nikyatu Jusu), and feature discussion with Jusu, the cast and Rina Yang, the director of photography.
Would I Recommend This Purchase? Yes, this is a Halloween treat that any cinephile would be pleased to get in their bucket of goodies.
Is It Worth a Blind Buy? Considering this was a blind-watch for me and I loved it, I’d say so. Yes.
Follow us for more entertainment coverage onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram, andYouTube.
Joshua Ryan
Lead Film & TV Critics Editor
Articles Published :322
Born and raised in Central Florida, Joshua Ryan has harbored a love for cinema since the earliest years of his childhood. Through endless hours of watching Turner Classic Movies, especially the works of Alfred Hitchcock, his passion for film and film criticism grew. As an adult, he channeled that passion into a career as the editor and lead critic of FandomWire’s film and television department.
More from Joshua Ryan
Americana Review – Heart, Humor, Bloodshed, and Grit
Peacemaker Season 2 Review – A Wild Ride of Violence and Vulnerability
Night Always Comes Review – A Thrilling Descent into Darkness
Recommended
Delta Force Console Release: Crossplay and Cross-Progression, Explained
Austin Butler’s Diet and Workout Routine For His Ripped Physique
When Is Palm Royale Season 2 Releasing on Apple TV+?
Top 5 Details In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Reveal Trailer That You Might Have Missed
Are Blood Ravens Returning in Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Cast Revealed - From Returning Icons to New Faces
Criterion CollectionHorrorNannyPrime VideoSpooky Season
